Artist & Art Therapy Student
My journey into the field of art therapy and counseling has been profoundly shaped by my personal experience of the transformative power of art. As I pursued my undergraduate degree in Studio Fine Arts, I discovered the capacity of art to facilitate personal growth and foster emotional processing within myself and others. This realization ignited my passion for art therapy and sent me on this path of exploration and empowerment.
In my undergraduate years, I immersed myself in the world of art, using various mediums as a means of self-expression and exploration. Though I explored many mediums, my hands always found themselves back to clay. Working with clay, I became aware of the potential of art to facilitate personal healing and transformation. As I pursued a degree in Human Development and Family Studies, my other degree in Studio Fine Arts gave me the emotional processing and creative support I needed to excel in both fields. As I navigated my own emotional journey through artistic expression, I discovered the profound impact it can have on emotional well-being.
During this transformative period, I was privileged to work as a community ceramics teacher and yoga instructor. These roles allowed me to witness the remarkable effects of mind-body connection and creativity on emotional regulation in others. Guiding my students through the tactile experience of working with clay and the mindfulness of yoga, I also observed how these practices became powerful tools for emotional expression and healing. I noticed reflections in my students of how more grounded and emotionally stable they felt after engaging in these classes. The opportunity to facilitate these transformative experiences in others deepened my belief in the healing potential of creativity and further solidified my commitment to becoming an art therapist.
My deep connection to the natural world and the land I currently reside on has played an instrumental role in shaping the person and art therapist I am today. When I embarked on my Master's program at Southwestern College in 2021, I had just returned to my home state of Idaho to live on the ancestral lands of the Nez Perce people. Learning to be a part of the land, rather than just merely using it, has been a transformative part of my personal growth and academic development.
The bond I share with nature has profoundly impacted me as a student and aspiring counselor. Living amidst the natural beauty of a rural part of Idaho has offered me a unique opportunity to find solace and connection with the land, its history, and the communities it has nurtured. I firmly believe that being in nature allows us to find peace and calm our nervous systems and provides a sense of belonging and interconnectedness with all living beings.
This sense of interconnection has undoubtedly shaped my approach as a counselor. I recognize the therapeutic value of incorporating nature and creative expression into my art therapy practice. By fostering a safe and supportive environment, I hope to encourage my clients to explore their emotions and experiences through artistic means while embracing the healing power of the natural world. I firmly believe that this holistic approach promotes personal growth and empowers individuals to discover their own inner strength and resilience.
At the core of my being lies a deep-rooted belief in the power of artistic expression as a universal language that enables individuals to communicate and process emotions. I am committed to creating a safe and non-judgmental space for my clients, empowering them to explore their inner worlds through the therapeutic use of art and counseling techniques. I firmly believe that every individual holds the possibility for growth and healing, and I am dedicated to facilitating this journey toward emotional well-being.
